McCloud calls for an end to ‘dithering’ on zero carbon homes

Kevin McCloud has urged the government to put an end to the delay in clarifying Part L changes

Writing in a blog for the UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC) the television presenter and director of house building firm Hab, has hit out at the government’s delays to Part L.

The Grand Designs frontman blamed the delays for adding further costs onto the industry, which has already adapted and innovated in response to the policy.

He said: ‘DCLG have, it seems, made a pact with the Treasury, promising that they will not, through legislation, burden the construction industry with more costs. What they don’t realise is that only one thing adds cost: dithering.

‘When Government acts bravely and decisively and with a view to the future, the resulting legislation can have a galvanising effect on industry. Gordon Brown committed to both 2050 and to 2016 as key dates in carbon reduction. The 2016 zero carbon homes target was, arguably, braver than the 2050 carbon emissions target because there was always a chance that Gordon might himself still have been around to have to enforce it.

‘The result of that powerful and now-looming commitment is that the building supply industry has been revolutionised: companies have poured millions upon millions into product development, from mechanical ventilation systems to hybrid photovoltaic/thermal panels to Nanogel insulation. And all because they know they have a ready market waiting for them three years from now.’

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